November 07, 2011

With Austin out two to four weeks, Cowboys to lean on Robinson

With receiver Miles Austin out two to four weeks with hamstring strain, the Cowboys will consider adding another receiver to the roster.

But with two kickers and two punters already on the team, a roster move won’t be an easy proposition because of all the moving parts.

The Cowboys however are comforted by the presence and emergence of Laurent Robinson who will start opposite Dez Bryant.

Robinson joined the team for the second game of the season after being cut in camp by the Chargers yet he is the only Cowboys receiver with two 100-yard receiving games this season. He has picked up the offense quickly and earned the trust of quarterback Tony Romo, allowing him to supplant Kevin Ogletree as the third receiver.

“He’s done a very good job for us,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He came in without training camp and really has kind of stepped in and really provided a spark for us, the consistency for us. The quarterbacks like to throw to him. He understands what we’re asking him to do and he consistently makes plays. He gets open. He made contested catches. He’s made some big plays for us but he’s also made some little plays for us that have kind of made the difference. His role will continue to get bigger and bigger in Miles’ absence and hopefully some of the other receivers will emerge as well.”

I'm glad that the Cowboys were able to pick up Robinson as he really has been very good. Which makes me wonder why the Cowboys do NOT use more 3 or 4 receiver sets, but then I think about the offensive line and just hope that next year, after a full off season conditioning program and working together that the Cowboys can finally "unleash" Austin, Bryant, Robinson, Witten and Murray as the primary and Jones back to his complimentary role. If Jones pays more money to keep Ryan and Ryan figures out a way to stop the Eagles, then the Cowboys have a better chance to win next year....more so then this year. Right now, this team is battling too many issues and the OC is or has not found a way to maximize his offensive players.